The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-06-25
STRANGE COINCIDENCE
Explained to the Satisfaction Of
Everybody.
[Ori9inal.l


"Haw, haw, haw! Come, my boy,
shake off that graveyard look o your'n
Take a drink and wash down your
troubles and you'll be all right. You
amt used to this thing. We kin see
that easy huff. Your talk gives you
away. Now don't be down-hearted.
I've taken u liken' to you, even if you
do wear billed shirt. The boys don't
go much on airs but you kin stake
your last ounce o gold dust agins the
earth that they're all square.
The speaker was an elongated indi-
vidual who labored under the Sobriquet
of Big Bill, and who was evidently a
leader in his set, judging from his
authoritative tone and manner. 1t
was a motley crowd and the stranger
addressed looked very much out of
place among these horny-handed and
rough-looking miners.
The opening scene of this tale was at
the largest hotel and saloon in one of
the mining towns Of the West, which
for convenience sake we will call
Oreton, and the gilded palace wherein
the above conversation took place had
been dubbed the handsome and sug-
gestive name of "Nosepaint" That
it was true TO its singular cognomen
was plainly evident from the number
of colored noses discernible in the
group. st.t ..t.e-
The young man to whom this speech
was delivered was a handsome young
fellow of perhaps six-and-twenty. His
name was Gerald Chambers, and his
appearance was entirely at variance
with his surroundings. His story was
not altogether an uncommon one, and
was like many another which now and
then comes under our observation; Its
explanation can be found in a few
words-he had loved and lost
Harriet Lane, the lady of his choice,
was u beautiful young woman, and the
only child of'John Lane, Esq, a retired
banker She loved Gerald with all her
heart, but the old adage, True love
never runs smoothly" was quite fit
ting in this case. Her father, for va.
rious reasons, disliked Chambers, and
had warned her that his attentions
must be discontinued. Gerald was moi
wealthy, and this may have had some
weightwith Mr.. Lane, who was man OF
biased views on most all subjects. He
was qlick-tempered, ard once his mind
made up, settled matters. Gerald anC
Harriet, therefore, found great diff
Guilty in carrying on their love affairs
and clandestine meetings were re
sorted to, though he tried every honor
able means of convincing Mr.. Lane o
his error in keeping them apart. Sc
matters went on for some time
BY and by Mr.. Lane began to sus
pect that the two met secretly ant
without his sanction, and he deter
mined to put an end to all further pro
ceedings by quietly removing to some
distant city, This plan he at once pu
into execution, and so well did he
guard against communication between
them, that for the time being they wer
lost to each other. ...
Gerald Chambers was not man t,
be daunted. He sought high and low
for them, but so well had their step
been covered, he was finally Obliged
to abandon his search. He driftet
hither and thither aimlessly and almos
Respondent spending his money Law
ishly and recklessly, until he wa
awakened from his revery-like state b.
cruel fate, which swept from him hi
little balance. Once aroused, h
was himself again and determine
to seek fortune and quietude il
the mining towns of the Far West
and so it is we find him at the "Nose
paiuG in Oreton. Having given til
reader an idea of the state of affairs